By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Northern Manhattan elected officials gathered at City Hall on Sunday to protest "Secure Communities," a federal program that allows police departments to share the fingerprints of people in their custody with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The federal department then uses the data to check on the immigration status of those arrested and can begin deportation proceedings if they are found to be in the country without documentation.
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez called on Gov. David Paterson to end New York State’s participation in the program, which began in May 2010.
"Secure Communities would make it no longer a possibility, but a guarantee that if you are picked up by the police, ICE will have your information and will be ready to detain you," Rodriguez said in a public statement.
Rodriguez said such a program not only jeopardizes the privacy of U.S. residents, but also puts an unfair financial burden on local municipalities.
"Why are we sacrificing money for our schools, transportation, and other programs to deport our neighbors and family and friends?" he asked.
Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat joined in asking Paterson to revoke the agreement between the state and federal government.
"The lack of due process sets the stage for racial profiling without any real consequences for abusive actions," he said in a public statement.
A spokesman for ICE said the department does not comment on protests and request for comment from the governor's office was not immediately returned.
